DENVER (Ticker) -- Jake Plummer more than made up for a
lack of a running game.

Plummer passed for 294 yards and two touchdowns as the Denver
Broncos posted a 23-13 victory over the San Diego Chargers in a
battle of AFC West Division rivals.

"One of those games where we didn't get anything on the ground
so we had to go to the air," Plummer said. "The line gave me
plenty of time. Some games you win pretty, some ugly. It was an
ugly win, but it was a 'W" and not an 'L' and that's all that
matters."

"We knew it would be a handful coming in here," San Diego
coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "We had some chances we failed
to capitalize on and the Broncos did."

After trading Clinton Portis, who rushed for 3,099 yards and 29
touchdowns the last two seasons, the Broncos (2-1) were
counting on Quentin Griffin to pick up the load in the
backfield.

Griffin rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns in the opener
while losing a fumble. In last week's 7-6 loss at Jacksonville,
Griffin gained just 66 yards on 25 carries and lost a fumble
deep in Jaguars territory with 31 seconds remaining.

It was another struggle for Griffin in this one as he was
limited to just seven yards on 12 carries. He also lost another
fumble.

"He's a great character kid, a hard working kid," Plummer said.
"I think we need to let him be the guy he is and not listen to
you guys. He's got to take care of the ball for us, and focus on
that."

"Q came back in the huddle and said it wasn't going to happen
again," Broncos tight end Jeb Putzier said. "He's a good back
and we are not worried about him."

One of the NFL's best rushing teams, the Broncos gained just 37
yards on the ground on 22 attempts.

"We had our chances and they took away the run," Broncos coach
Mike Shanahan said. "Give credit to them. We weren't effective
on third downs or in the red zone. I am more concerned
about those things than our running game."

"Honestly, after we figured out the crossing route that kept
killing us," San Diego linebacker Ben Leber said. "I
thought we played pretty well."

Plummer was there to bail out the offense, completing 25-of-36
passes. He threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Rod Smith in the
first quarter, then added a 33-yard TD pass to Ashley Lelie on
a 4th-and-9 play late in the third quarter, giving the Broncos
a 20-10 lead.

"The line gave me plenty of time and Ashley made a phenomenal
catch on fourth down when we needed a play," Plummer said. "I
saw him in the corner and I count on him to make those plays. I
have a lot of confidence in him. I threw it up and he's long and
tall and I just wanted him to out jump the other guy."

"I felt that if we missed the field goal, they would have the
momentum the other way," Shanahan said. "Jake ran right and made
a big time throw and a big time play. It doesn't always work
out. I am glad they bailed me out."

The Broncos' defense also did the job, limiting LaDainian
Tomlinson to 60 yards on 22 attempts. Quarterback Drew Brees
scored on a one-yard run in the third quarter for San Diego
(1-2). He struggled in the passing game, going 14-of-29
for 121 yards.

"I felt like we had this game," Tomlinson said. "We had our
opportunities. It gets harder and harder to swallow. Denver's
defense did a good job of attacking and shutting down the
running lanes."

"I am pleased with our overall effort," Shanahan said. "Anytime
you lose some defensive starters like Trevor Pryce and Lenny
Walls you need guys to step up. It's a credit to our squad who
worked together."

San Diego has been outscored, 112-46, in losing its four games
at Invesco Field.

"Looking back on it there were a few plays here and there that
would have given us the win," Brees said. "They are a good
football team and this is a tough place to play. We definitely
had a chance to win."